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Importing Columbiformes (Pigeons

and Doves) into the United States

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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services may also regulate

Columbiformes imports.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) regulates imports of birds protected by

the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the Wild

Bird Conservation Act of 1992 (WBCA). These regulations are part of an international

conservation effort to protect some species of wild birds subject to international

trade.

Visit the USFWS website for information on applying for a permit, if applicable. If you

have questions, contact the USFWS at (800) 358-2104. Outside the United States,

call +1(703) 358-2104.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines Columbiformes (pigeons and

doves) as poultry. However, unlike other poultry, Columbiformes may be imported

from or transit through countries or zones affected with Highly Pathogenic Avian

Influenza (HPAI). Columbiformes are not considered pets and do not import under

the same requirements as pets.

USDA requires the following for all Columbiformes imports (see below):

USDA Import Permit

Veterinary Export Health Certificate

Port Inspection

Import Quarantine

Download and print a copy of USDA import requirements: Information for Importers

of Pigeons and Doves to the United States (189.8 KB).

USDA requirements for transiting Columbiformes through the United States are

detailed in the USDA Transit Process below.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services may also regulate Columbiformes imports. Learn

more.
USDA Import Permit

Columbiformes shipments must be accompanied by a USDA import permit, with

one exception: shipments from Canada crossing at a U.S. land border port do

not require an import permit (an import permit is required for shipments from

Canada arriving by air or sea).

Importers may apply for an import permit online using the APHIS eFile system.

Alternatively, importers may submit a paper application to obtain a permit. Use

VS Form 17-129 Application for Import or In Transit Permit (73.07 KB).

Importers must submit the import permit application at least 7 business days

prior to shipping birds.

The permit application fee can be paid by check, money order, charge card, or

by providing a USDA User Fee account.

The original import permit is valid for 30 days and must accompany all

shipments.

Import permits for U.S. returning performing/theatrical Columbiformes are valid

for 90 days.

Veterinary Export Health Certificate

Columbiformes imported from any region of the world must be accompanied by

a health certificate in English or with English translation that is:

a. Issued by a salaried veterinarian of the national government of the

exporting region OR

b. Issued by a certifying official AND

c. Endorsed by the competent authority of that country,

d. Any allowable or required deviations of endorsement will be specified on

the import permit.

Certain exporting countries have a specific health certificate for Columbiformes.

Other countries may use the U.S. model health certificate for Columbiformes or

their own document that contains the same requirements as the model health

certificate.

a. Canada: Avian - Columbiformes - Canada - Health Certificate (149.77 KB) -

December 2023
b. Other Countries: Avian – Columbiformes – Model Health Certificate – April

2024

Port Inspection

A USDA port veterinarian must inspect birds at the first U.S. port of entry,

unless otherwise indicated on the U.S. import permit.

The importer must arrange for this inspection at least 72 hours in advance by

contacting the USDA port veterinarian, whose information is listed on the

import permit.

Inspection consists of a visual inspection of the shipment, export health

certificate, and U.S. import permit.  User fee rates for inspection services can

be found on the APHIS User Fee information.

Import Quarantine

Columbiformes importing from areas of Canada that are not restricted due to

highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) or Newcastle disease, and that have

not transited such areas, do not require quarantine.

Other Columbiformes (not including hatching eggs) must undergo quarantine at

a USDA Animal Import Center or a USDA-approved private quarantine facility,

with one exception: U.S.-Origin Returning Performing or Theatrical

Columbiformes:

USDA defines performing or theatrical Columbiformes as birds that are

used in shows, theatrical acts, or performances.

USDA defines U.S.-origin return shipments as those for which a U.S. health

certificate was obtained before the shipment left the United States.

Performing or theatrical Columbiformes returning to the United States are

only eligible for home quarantine if the shipment did not originate in or

transit through a region that the USDA considers to be affected by HPAI

within 90 days of U.S. arrival.

There are fees associated with approving a private quarantine facility,

quarantine at a Federal facility, and home quarantine (if eligible). If

quarantining at a USDA Animal Import Center, port officials will provide an

estimate of the overall cost of the quarantine.
Birds are tested in quarantine to determine if they are free of certain

communicable diseases. The cost of diagnostic testing is separate from the

quarantine fee.

To arrange Federal quarantine, contact one of the USDA Animal Import Centers

listed below:

Miami Animal Import Center

USDA-APHIS-VS

6300 NW 36 Street

Miami, FL 33122

(305) 876-2200 (phone)

(305) 876-2201 (fax)

NotifyMAIC@usda.gov

New York Animal Import Center

USDA, APHIS, VS

474 International Boulevard

Rock Tavern, NY 12575

(845) 838-5500 (phone)

(845) 838-5575 (fax)

VSPSNIC@usda.gov

To establish a privately-owned USDA-approved quarantine facility, see VS

Guidance Document 13401 Approval and Oversight of Private Avian Quarantine

Facilities in the United States (214.13 KB).

U.S.-Origin Returning Performing or Theatrical Columbiformes may be

eligible for quarantine in the importer’s home if the birds do not export from or

travel through regions affected by HPAI. If APHIS approves home quarantine,

the import permit will include contact information for the APHIS office that is

overseeing home quarantine. Importers must submit the previously issued U.S.-

origin health certificate when applying for the import permit to be granted U.S.-

returning status.

USDA defines performing or theatrical Columbiformes as birds that are

used in shows, theatrical acts, or performances.

USDA defines U.S.-origin return shipments as those for which a U.S. health

certificate was obtained before the shipment left the United States.

Performing or theatrical Columbiformes returning to the United States are

only eligible for home quarantine if the shipment did not originate in or

transit through a region that the USDA considers to be affected by HPAI
within 90 days of U.S. arrival.

USDA Transit Process

The process for applying for the transit permit is the same as for the import

permit (see USDA Import Permit section above). Denoting the route of travel on

the application distinguishes the type of permit being requested.

USDA oversees transit shipments while in the United States. The importer must

arrange for USDA services at least 72 hours in advance by contacting the USDA

port veterinarian listed on the transit permit.

The importer must submit a contingency plan with the permit application and

the request for service at the U.S. transit port.

The transit permit lists special instructions for the importer and port staff. For

more information, see Transit Shipments of Live Animal Commodities (479.88

KB) and Notice Regarding APHIS Live Animal Import and Third-Country Import

Transit Permits. (272.29 KB)

VS Guidance and Other Documents for Avian Importation

Contact Us

Live Animal Import Permit Team

Contact APHIS' Live Animal Import Permit team if you have questions before you

apply for a permit.

For questions about import permits or permit applications:

Live Animal Import Permit Team

Email: laipermits@usda.gov

Phone: 301-851-3000
APHIS Port Services

For questions about import inspections at a port of entry, quarantine of animals

arriving from a foreign country, or requesting approval as a private animal import

quarantine facility, contact APHIS Port Services.

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Live Animal Import and Export

Contact APHIS' Live Animal Import and Export team for questions about current

trade restrictions, or other questions not related to permits.

For general questions related to the import of a live animal:

Live Animal Import and Export

Email: laie@usda.gov

Phone: 301-851-3300

All Contacts